
Tide Turns Against Liberia's Biggest Slum
Muhammad Rameez Published July 25, 2016 | 10:51 AM

MONROVIA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th july,2016) - The fishermen, hustlers and market traders of West Point have survived two civil wars and an Ebola epidemic, but this resilient Liberian slum cannot hold back the ocean that is slowly swallowing it. The country's biggest township is being swallowed by the sea, tearing the heart out of one of the capital's liveliest neighbourhoods and leaving the government struggling to rehouse thousands of displaced residents. "Sometimes at 2am when you're sleeping the waves will go straight on top of the house.
Before you come to, everybody is confused; you're soaked with water," said Cecelia Nimley, 56, a lifelong resident of West Point.
"The swell will just wipe away things. I sent my grandchildren to some friends and the big ones are on their own," she said, describing losing her house and all her possessions to the waves. The shacks are stacked together any which way, built from a variety of reclaimed materials. Sitting on a peninsula, jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, the slum is being hit by rising seas -- a consequence of global warming -- and coastal erosion, say local officials. West Point's residents have long battled poverty and drug addiction is rife in the area.
The community was torn apart when the Ebola virus struck. But the encroaching sea water is adding to the struggle to meet basic needs.
Related Topics
Recent Stories

Gold Rate in Pakistan Today, 26th June 2022

PTI announces to organize rallies in all major cities on Jul 2

Illicit trafficking, drug abuse poses threat to communities: Prime Minister

President calls for stronger commitment to address challenge of drug abuse

Sherry Rehman exhorts President Alvi to abstain from impeding constitutional aff ..

Pakistan all set to become only country with a majority CPR trained population : ..
More Stories From World
-
Spain says deadly migrant rush 'attack' on its territory
9 hours ago -
Ecuador president faces ouster vote on 13th day of fuel price protests
10 hours ago -
Spain says deadly migrant rush 'attack' on its territory
10 hours ago -
UN slams US Supreme Court decision to override abortion rights
10 hours ago -
UN slams US Supreme Court decision to override abortion rights
10 hours ago -
'Islamist terror' suspect arrested in deadly Oslo attack
11 hours ago -
Erdogan signals no progress on Sweden's NATO bid
11 hours ago -
UN rushing relief supplies, staff to Afghanistan's quake-hit regions
13 hours ago -
Taliban pledge no interference with quake aid, but many await relief
13 hours ago -
Iran nuclear talks to resume in days: EU's Borrell
13 hours ago -
Spain says deadly migrant rush 'attack' on its territory
13 hours ago -
Fresh transport strikes hit UK, mainland Europe
13 hours ago
Education - Urdu News - Car Prices - Breaking News - English News - Live Tv Channels - Urdu Horoscope - Horoscope in Urdu - Muslim Names in Urdu - Urdu Poetry - Love Poetry - Sad Poetry - Prize Bond - Mobile Prices in Pakistan - PTV Sports - English to Urdu - Big Ticket - Translate English to Urdu - Ramadan Calendar - Prayer Times - DDF Raffle - Islamic Calendar - Events - Today Islamic Date - Travel - UAE Raffles - Travel Guide - Arabic - Urdu Cooking Recipes - Directory - Pakistan Results - Past Papers - BISE - Schools in Pakistan - Academies & Tuition Centers
UrduPoint Network is the largest independent digital media house from Pakistan, catering the needs of its users since year 1997. We provide breaking news, Pakistani news, International news, Business news, Sports news, Urdu news and Live Urdu News
© 1997-2022, UrduPoint Network
All rights of the publication are reserved by UrduPoint.com. Reproduction without proper consent is not allowed.